It’s safe to say referee Jesus Valenzuela didn’t win many fans in Canada on Thursday.
The Venezuelan official had Canadian fans up in arms on Thursday when he opted not to award Canada a penalty — or at least a free kick — after Jacob Shaffelburg was tripped up at the edge of the box by Argentina’s Lisandro Martínez in the 70th minute of their Copa America opener in Atlanta.
Valenzuela did not call a foul and stayed with the same call after consulting with the video assistant referee.
Former Canadian national team player Patrice Bernier called the ref out on X.
Bernier wasn’t the only one questioning the officiating in Canada’s 2-0 loss to the reigning World Cup champs.
Argentina also drew some criticism for coming out of the locker-room late after halftime. The Canadians already were on the field when Argentina emerged.
Canadian coach Jesse Marsch said after the match he feels Argentina deserves supplemental discipline for returning late.
“I think they have to be fined … If we would have known we could have had an extra 10 minutes, we would have planned more,” Marsch said, per Joshua Kloke of The Athletic.
